-LRB- CNN -RRB- -- What do Conan O'Brien , Etsy.com and the Smurfs all have in common ?

They are part of the hottest craft trends for 2011 , according to organizations like craftster.org , that track the $ 29.2 billion dollar craft and hobby industry in the U.S. .

An increase in handmade technology accessories and vintage patterns for clothes are popular , too , as art and craft enthusiasts find new ways to develop their creative talents .

Hot trend : Conan

Conan O'Brien is more than a late night talk show host , these days . He 's credited with exposing a new and younger audience to artwork .

Fans of the comedian have been inspired to create illustrations , paintings , mixed media , digital art and edibles that look like the late night star - and this work is sometimes showcased on his TBS television show and on his website .

`` While we had never actively solicited artwork or crafts from fans , we were seeing so much incredible stuff posted across the web , and were inspired to build ` Coco MoCA - The Museum Of Conan Art ' -- an internet gallery to celebrate these fantastic artists ' talent , '' said John A. Wooden , General Manager and Executive Producer of Team Coco Digital .

Wooden says the team has been pleased with the new museum of art and routinely display pieces of its work on Conan 's TV show .

Hot trend : Etsy.com

Etsy.com is popular , as it is a money making venue for artists and crafters .

Etsy is a U.S.-based website that describes itself as an `` online crafts fair . '' But unlike your local art fair show , Etsy is a growing business where its sellers made a combined $ 314.3 million last year in gross merchandise sales and more than $ 146 million so far , this year . The site has grown from about 200,000 active sellers in 2008 to 800,000 sellers , today , in 150 countries around the world .

`` There is an added value for the buyer that comes from having a real interaction with the real human being that created each handmade object , '' said Etsy spokesperson , Adam Brown . `` You wo n't find this at a shopping mall . ''

Husband and wife team , Stephen and Betsy Carr , of Asheville , North Carolina , said they quit their day jobs to pursue their dream job of selling handmade jewelry on Etsy and could n't be happier .

`` We 're creative people and it feels incredibly satisfying to have made this creative life for ourselves , '' said Betsy .

Etsy makes money by charging sellers a listing fee of 20 cents for each item and receives 3.5 % commission on the price of each sale . It is free to become a member and sell items on Etsy .

Hot trend : Pop culture

Pop culture is always popular in the arts and crafts world .

Indie crafters are expected to be influenced by 2011 film releases like `` The Smurfs , '' and `` Red Riding Hood '' and fan favorites `` Twilight '' and Harry Potter . This , according to data and trends collected from the 1.3 million visitors a month who visit the craftster.org website .

Consumers who ca n't get enough of these pop culture icons have plenty of artistic options to choose from this year , both online and at art and craft shows .

`` Fantasy of any sort is perfect for inspiration and getting creative juices flowing , '' said Talia Roselli , a spokesperson for Craftster.org . `` When crafters ca n't find products in the marketplace that represent their love for their favorite characters and fantasy film narratives , they make them . ''

Hot trend : Modern technology

Blending traditional crafts with modern technology is `` hot , '' in 2011 .

Crafters will be inspired throughout the year , according to Roselli , to make cases for items like smartphones , iPads and Kindles , to name a few .

`` We attribute this demand for unique tech accessories in large part to the highly personalized experience of using today 's mobile technology , '' said Roselli . `` People want their devices to have a look and feel that reflects their personality . ''

Rich and Brenna Neeley of Orange County , California , are among the artists on Etsy.com that cater to this niche of craft items . They selliPhone and iPod chargers that look like new and vintage books .

Brenna says her personal iPhone charger is a small book of poems that has sentimental value for her .

`` Everytime I plug in my device , it makes me smile , '' said Brenna . `` It 's more about how it makes me feel than what it does , the charging function is just a necessity of life these days . ''

Hot trend : Fashion

In fashion , pleating , smocking and detailed embellishments in a style that mixes the 1940s and 1970s will be trendy for crafters throughout 2011 .

As fashion designers experiment with advanced techniques , material combinations , and modern finishes , they 're drawing more and more inspiration from vintage patterns and designs , said Roselli .

`` It 's a beautiful blend of old and new that we 're seeing , '' noted Roselli .

Color choices reflect this mix of old and new , too .

Roselli says what 's trending with indie clothes makers is an aged natural color like a dusty brown or grey , complemented by a bold , rich color like honeysuckle , plum , or yellow to brighten and modernize a garment or accessory .

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Conan O'Brien , Etsy.com part of hottest trends in crafting right now

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In 2010 , the U.S. craft and hobby industry was at $ 29.2 billion

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56 % of U.S. households craft at least once a year